Local Cave & Mine Leader and Cave Instructor Certificate Leadership Awards

The BCAs Qualification Management Committee (QMC) manage a range of Nationally recognised leadership awards appropriate for those wishing to evidence their competence to lead groups underground.

• Local Cave Leader
  • Award appropriate for those wishing to lead groups in caves
• Local Mine Leader
  • For those wanting to lead groups in mines
• Vertical Leader
  • A supplemental award for those wishing to lead groups in vertical systems (simple pitches up to 18m)
  • Includes optional additional awards: SRT for Leader & Tyrolean for Groups
• Cave Instructor Certificate
  • Award for those wishing to lead others in more complex systems

Click here to access the Qualification Management System

Below are some illustrations that outline the format of the award scheme. Click on any of the images for a better view.

Other modules

• Cave to Mine Transfer Training
• Cave to Mine Transfer Assessment
• Mine to Cave Transfer Training
• Mine to Cave Transfer Assessment

Following a training or assessment course candidates are encouraged to complete a feedback form. T/As will normally provide these at the end of a course however if you'd rather download a form and send it direct to our training administrator you can do so by clicking here. Alternatively there's an online form here

Find a Trainer/Assessor in your region here

Derbyshire Northern England North Wales Southern England South Wales

• Cave & Mine Leader: Ropework
• Cave & Mine Leader: Water Safety
• Vertical Leader: Ropework
• Vertical Leader: Suggested Life-lining Systems
• Tests on pulley jammers
• Tyrolean for Groups Rigging Notes
• Thunderstorm and Flash Flood at Long Churn Caves - Pps Version(~3Mb) or Pdf version (~1.5Mb)
• The Hydrology of Goyden Pot and Manchester Hole
• Weather and its Effects on Caves: a Guide for Cavers
• Caving Emergency Card
• Navigating Deep Water in Porth yr Ogof
• Regional Mining Terms Document

• CIC Trainer/Assessors
• CIC Panel
• CIC Panel Minutes

• CIC Training
• CIC Module 1 Assessment: Extended Caving Day
• CIC Module 2 Assessment: Vertical Caving Skills
• CIC Module 3 Assessment: Caver Coaching
• CIC Module 4 Assessment: Mines Module (information coming soon)

• Module 1 Scoring
• Module 2 Scoring
• Module 3 Scoring

• CIC Notes on Tyroleans
• Water Safety for CIC
• CIC Update Workshop Form

• Area Panel Liaison Officers for the LCMLA
• Qualifications Management Committee for the LCMLA
• Qualifications Management Committee Mniutes for the LCMLA

Military caving award holders who wish to gain the BCA civilian LCMLA and CIC awards can gain exemption from training by:

1. Registering with the BCA LCMLA and/or CIC scheme through the Qualification Management System
2. Under “Credentials” within your profile click “add credentials”
3. Select the appropriate credential for your course:
   1. Cave Leader Training for CVF
   2. Vertical Cave and/or Mine Leader Training for CVT
   3. Cave Instructor Certificate Training for CVI
4. Follow the instructions entering the name of the T/A who delivered your course & date
5. Upload a copy of your certificate to support your application

Once submitted your application will be reviewed within 30 days and, if successful, the training credential added to your profile so you may being the assessment process.

Trainer/Assessors Information (password protected)

• Guidelines for Technical Advisors

These training & assessment grants are available for voluntary youth sector caving leaders.

Voluntary Youth Sector Leader Grant Information Letter

Voluntary Youth Sector Leader Grant Application Form